I've been involved in the interactive entertainment world since the dial up days. With the world now constantly connected, the industry shifts toward new genres, monetization models, and a focus on service.
I've worked with multiple websites covering and creating interactive entertainment content in roles ranging from writer, editor, moderator and site administrator.
Game keys and/or copies are often provided for reviews.
Reach me at dantack77 //at// gmail [dot] com or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dantack

Gatecrash Prerelease Events

The Magic: The GatheringGatecrash Prerelease is coming up on January 26-27 and will be similar to the Return to Ravnica Prerelease in some ways. Players will select one of the Gatecrash guilds for each event and receive a special package filled with tools to make that particular color composition sing –

5 Gatecrash Booster Packs

1 Guild Booster Pack

1 Promo Card

1 Achievement Card

1 Spindown™ Life Counter

1 Letter from the Guildmaster

1 Guild Symbol Sticker

Since Gatecrash is a large set, there won’t be any Return to Ravnica fare to be found – Everything will be brand new! Players will be able to choose from Simic, Orzhov, Dimir, Gruul, and Boros. Players that attended Return to Ravnica events already know the drill, as the special prelease promo cards are playable at the event! So what to choose going in? While we’re fairly far away from having complete Gatecrash set knowledge, the promo cards are indicative of the flavors and goals of their respective guilds. Monty Ashley previewed the alternate-art promo cards today on Daily MTG.

Simic – Fathom Mage

It may not look like much as a 1/1, but an unanswered Fathom Mage will take over a game quickly. Card advantage is often the deciding factor in Sealed and Limited matches, and Fathom Mage turns the next few creature cards into pump spells and card draws. Consider the fact that Simic possesses the power to move counters around once placed and Fathom Mage becomes an incredibly attractive option.

While players do need to wait and see what potential common removal spells may be available to deal with Fathom Mage, this card has blowout potential that may not seem obvious at first glance. If possible, it may be wise to save Fathom Mage until the opponent’s hand is running dry if you know that removal spells could be waiting for a turn four drop. Other situations will call for an immediate board placement to begin taking advantage of the potent ability. Expect to see skill decisions on when to play this card compared to some of the other guild promo options.

Boros – Foundry Champion

A spring-loaded six-drop may not seem to be the tool an aggressive Boros deck needs, but Foundry Champion is a brutal finisher for a deadlocked board. Opponent has too many defenders on the board holding back your battalion-boasting Boros? Foundry Champion may come in with enough heat to finish off a weakened opponent outright. Foundry Champion has the potential to take out anything from a large threat to a critical evasive creature to the opponent’s life total. Failing that, a flexible pump body will allow players to augment their assault force with a potentially huge creature. Make no mistake, when Foundry Champion hits it’s going to be going to be as a finisher in a deck that may need some extra oomph to complete a stymied blitz.

Gruul – Rubblehulk

Like the rest of the bloodrush ensemble, Rubblehulk can either be the biggest creature on the board or an uncounterable combat trick of epic proportions. Gruul decks will be stacking up these creature/combat cards en masse and creating attack phases that will leave opponents questioning every block. Rubblehulk may not be a deceptively powerful card like Fathom Mage, but it trades the subtleties of cardcraft for sheer strength and wild flexibility.

Dimir – Consuming Aberration

This one can get out of control quickly. While Dimir is likely to have spells and abilities that will throw cards into the opponent’s graveyard, Consuming Aberration comes with an ability that will force the opponent to feed this horror fast. A few cards in the graveyard is all it takes to get things going, allowing this monster to become lethal.

This may actually be the most dangerous of any of the promo cards depending on potential synergy with other Dimir cards, but also be aware of this when facing a Dimir deck – If you don’t have any cards in your graveyard this nightmare will be rendered useless. Note that Consuming Aberration draws from all the opponents in multiplayer Magic!

Orzhov – Treasury Thrull

Players will find the extort mechanic an interesting new way to tax an opponent to death, and while Treasury Troll may not command the huge frame of some of the other promo cards, the Orzhov player has an opportunity to “make bank” on every attack. It’s no Sun Titan, but bringing back artifacts and creatures to cast (And extort with) over and over is an incredibly dangerous prospect. Note the ability can snap back enchantments, so if Orzhov collects anything resembling Pillory of the Sleepless in Gatecrash – Look out. Treasury Thrull is an excellent card to have, but players will need removal to make sure it can attack safely to begin stockpiling discarded treasures.

Post Your Comment

Post Your Reply

Forbes writers have the ability to call out member comments they find particularly interesting. Called-out comments are highlighted across the Forbes network. You'll be notified if your comment is called out.